Another Newb - I'll let you all decide..

[bobbykokinos]

Hey all! Yes another "build" thread. Right now, I have an Athlon 64 2800+
512mb RAM that is time for it to be retired. So, I'm looking for help on building a new system.. This is what I need the computer for:

1. I mainly do web/flash design and a lot of photo editing
2. I like to record me playing my bass into the computer but don't need anything crazy as far as sound card
3. I want to build a computer with (2) 19IN LCD's. Right now, I have CRTs and its time to get rid of them.
4. I love playing MS Flight Simulator so I'd like a computer that can run the new version with no problems at all.
5. A decent amount of HD space but nothing crazy.
6. I dont have a DVD burner right now on my computer and would like one.
7. I'd like the case to allow future expandibility.
8. My goal is to keep it around $1500 with screens
9. I don't plan to overclock. I want the system to be VERY stable..

This is what I'm looking at so far:
Processor: E6400
MoBo: ASUS P5B
Memory: A-Data 2GB DD2-800 PC2 6400 Dual Channel
Sound: Creative X-Fi Platinum
Graphics: GeForce 7900GT
HD: Seagate 7200.10 320GB
Optical: LG 16X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD
Monitor: (2) BenQ FP93GX 19in LCD 2ms
Case: APEVIA X-Navigator ATXA8NW-YL w/500w PS (this may be ditched to use my current case which is a

This brought me to $1580.90 from newegg.. My questions are:

1. For what I need, is this overkill or just right?
2. Are there any components that I did go overkill on that I could go cheaper but still get good performance?
3. Are there any components you would swap for something else that would be similar price-wise?
4. Are there any components I'm missing?? I want to be able to order the parts and have it ready to build when it all gets here

The only thing I see that I may went overkill on, so far, is the sound card. I like the idea that it has midi and 1/4in inputs in the front for my music stuff but it really isnt a necessity..

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[bobbykokinos]

Anyone??

 

[apt403]

everything looks great, only ive never heard of A-data ram before so im not sure of the quality. you might want to inveset in a $5 floppy drive in case your BIO's ever crap out or you want a raid config. the 7900gt will handle the flight sim fairly well, but but ive heard that game takes alot of gpu power. im an ati fan so i would have gone with something like that 1950xt or 1950pro because, 1. there ati cards and 2. they would perform slighty better than the 7900gt for only like 30 bucks more. lastly, wha t kind of power supply did you get?

 

[bobbykokinos]

everything looks great, only ive never heard of A-data ram before so im not sure of the quality. you might want to inveset in a $5 floppy drive in case your BIO's ever crap out or you want a raid config. the 7900gt will handle the flight sim fairly well, but but ive heard that game takes alot of gpu power. im an ati fan so i would have gone with something like that 1950xt or 1950pro because, 1. there ati cards and 2. they would perform slighty better than the 7900gt for only like 30 bucks more. lastly, wha t kind of power supply did you get?

Yeah, I've never seen A-Data before either until I started looking at newegg. I was going to go with G.Skill, but I couldn't find any on newegg with the specs I need for the mobo (DDR2-800, 1.8v, 555 or 666 timing) unless I overlooked it.

I do have a 3.5 drive I'm going to take out of my old computer.

I looked for the 1950xt/pro on newegg and couldn't find it.. All I saw was the 1900. Everyone that likes the 7900GT is telling me to stay away from the 1900xt/pro. Everyone who likes the 1900xt/pro is tell me to stay away from the 7900GT. So, to me, it sounds like performance wise they would be very similar if they are that "head-to-head". But, again, I've havent seen a compairson online

As far as PS, all I had figured was the supply that came with the case. All it says on the photo from the website is "Aspire ATX Switching Power Supply. Model: ATX-AS500W 12V".. To be honest, I dont know if its good or not. They supply its self seems to be getting 4 & 5 star reviews on newegg..

 

[apt403]

if you want a head to head comparison just go to the toms vgs charts and compare the cards, since the 1950xt just can out there arent any benchs of it that i can find, but there are alot for the 1950pro. for the P5B you didnt need to get ddr2 800 ram, thats just the fastest the mobo supports, 533 or 667 would have worked fine. i guess you have some oc-ing headroom now if you do ever decide to try it.

here are all the different 1950pro's and 1950xt's on newegg.

1950pro's
1950xt's

 

[mad-dog]

Aspire PSU's have 280W on the 12V rail, i don't think so
One look at those psu's tells me what kind of people would buy them, the people with the blue led's on their windshield washers.....
Those are the people that put those good ratings on newegg......lol

 

[bobbykokinos]

Aspire PSU's have 280W on the 12V rail, i don't think so
One look at those psu's tells me what kind of people would buy them, the people with the blue led's on their windshield washers.....
Those are the people that put those good ratings on newegg......lol

Well, thats why I'm here.. If there is anything I REALLY dont know about, its cases and PSUs.. I'll be honest, I'm one of those who see an attractive case and it catches my eye. I did read more on the PSU that comes with the case and it says "+5V +3.3V Combined Load: 200W +12V +5V +3.3V Combined Load: 480W".. To be honest, I dont know what any of that means.

Do you have any suggestions on case and PSU?? And, I'll be honest, I wouldnt mind a case thats attractive looking but I dont want to pay an arm and a leg for it..

 

[bobbykokinos]

if you want a head to head comparison just go to the toms vgs charts and compare the cards, since the 1950xt just can out there arent any benchs of it that i can find, but there are alot for the 1950pro. for the P5B you didnt need to get ddr2 800 ram, thats just the fastest the mobo supports, 533 or 667 would have worked fine. i guess you have some oc-ing headroom now if you do ever decide to try it.

here are all the different 1950pro's and 1950xt's on newegg.

1950pro's
1950xt's

Soo, if I dont plan on overclocking, I can save a few bucks and go with 533?? Will I noticed a performance difference (not overclocked) with 533 as opposed to 667 or 800?

 

[tool_462]

The performance difference is negligable. The money saved is a far greater gain.

As for Case/PSU Antec Sonata is a nice case and comes with a good PSU.

Basically you can choose any case you like, but go for a quality brand when choosing PSU's.

OCZ, Enermax, FSP, Thermaltake, Corsair, Mushkin, Hiper, PC Power & Cooling, SilverStone, Seasonic are all good.

 

[apt403]

yeah, with the ram 553 is all you need, with 667 or 800 you might get like 3% better performance on some things but unless you notice millisecond speed increases your not going to see any difference.

as far as the case goes, i like the thermaltake armor myself, but its kind of expensive. Lian Li cases are really, really good to, i know alot of people who swear by them.

with the psu, always get a name brand, like antec, ocz, thermaltake, ect. as to which one to get, thats a little harder, i think for what your getting this psu should suffice.

 

[mad-dog]

I can't recommend a case for you but Antec makes quality PSU's that are inexpensive, nothing flashy but rock-solid..
Just remember whatever case you select you will have to grow with it so keep that in mind as your tastes will change over time

 

[bobbykokinos]

Thanks for the help everyone!! I'm in the process now of updating my component list.. I'll post it up once I'm done!

 

[SPARTAN-117]

This is some of the best advice I thick anyone can give. Because when you upgrade your gonna want to keep as many components for the previous system as possible. Good idea mad-dog!

 

[bobbykokinos]

Ok, here we go.. I was going to keep my current case and save some money. But, to be honest, the case I have now is a really revolting bright yellow color. Its time to move it on. I decided I'd go ahead and stay with the DDR2-800 RAM. Unless I was looking at the wrong thing, I didnt find any price difference between 533 and 667 and, in some cases, the slower RAM was more expensive. If you have a link for what I should get, if its substantially cheaper, I'd appreciate it!

Processor: Core 2E6400 $222.99
MoBo: Asus P5B $89.99
RAM: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 240-Pin PC2 6400 $209.99
Sound: Decided to use the onboard sound for now $0.00
Graphics: Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro $199.99
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb $94.99
CD: LG 16X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner $29.99
Case/PSU: Antec LifeStyle SONATA II
Monitor 1: BenQ FP93GX Black 19" 2ms DVI 300 cd/m2 700:1 $208.00
Monitor 1: BenQ FP93GX Black 19" 2ms DVI 300 cd/m2 700:1 $208.00

Total: $1363.93

Any other odds and ends I should put on my list to order?? I have a keyboard, mouse, speakers. I'm looking for small stuff that I'll think of at the last minute..

 

[mad-dog]

maybe a floppy drive...?
cooling may be a issue with that case, there's only 1 fan
that is 1 crowded case design as well

 

[bobbykokinos]

maybe a floppy drive...?
cooling may be a issue with that case, there's only 1 fan
that is 1 crowded case design as well

yeah, going back and reading, now I'm noticing some complaints about how its a bit crowded and how many people have received it with dead PSUs.

Back to the drawing board for a PSU and Case..

 

[apt403]

he said thats he's using a floppy drive from his old system. i agree with the case thing though, get a couple 120mm fans, there only like $5-$10 and they'll help keep the system cool. and where did you find a P5B for $89?! is it like an OEM or something? if its retail then thats got to be the best deal ive ever seen.

 

[bobbykokinos]

They are openbox OEM's on newegg.

Is there any disadvantage of going this route even though it carries the standard return policy?

 

[apt403]

performance wise, no, its the same board, although you dont get the pretty box since it's an oem and since its open box it may be somebodys board that they returned for whatever reason. like if you get an open box monitor, somebody could have returned it because of a few dead pixels, still works so newegg marks it down and sells it, still has the dead pixels though.

 

[AngelDeath82]

I realize this will add to the overall cost of your build ($129.99 at NewEgg), however if you truly want a good stable PSU and a sturdy case with decent airflow, have you considered the Antec Atlas?

It's designed to be sold as a server chassis, and comes with a quality 550W Power Supply.

Here are 2 pictures:

 

[bobbykokinos]

Cool, I'll keep that in mine.

My latest revision is:

Apevia X-Discovery

Antec Smartpower 500w

The case I mentioned has 1x80mm on the side and 1x120mm on the back. It also has a space for 2x80mm in the front of the case, that I've added to my list of things to buy.

Will those 4 fans be enough if I go that route?

Plus, I wont lie, the case looks kinda cool

 

[apt403]

those fans should be suffice, instead of that smart power, what about this one? antec truepower slighty less power but the 20w wont matter much in real life, and $10 more but the truepower line is of better quality and you get 18amps in stead of 17 on the +12v rail.

 

[bobbykokinos]

those fans should be suffice, instead of that smart power, what about this one? antec truepower slighty less power but the 20w wont matter much in real life, and $10 more but the truepower line is of better quality and you get 18amps in stead of 17 on the +12v rail.

Does it matter much that the smartpower is 2 fans and the truepower is 1 fan?

 

[apt403]

nah, not really, it would take alot to get a psu to overheat.

 

[13thmonkey]

only thing I'd add is that the P5B (std) is not getting the best coverage on the forum, lots of 'my p5b won't post' etc. type posts, I think that the others further up the P5B range are better.